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― Nature ―


　The Lake of Akan, known as the famous place to climb the Mountain of Meakan and the Mountain of Oakan, is a beautiful lake surrounded by the wild forest.
It has been said that the Lake of Akan was formed with other two lakes, Panketou and Penketou because of the eruption of the Mountain of Oakan about 6000 years ago.
The forest around the Lake of Akan was authorized as the first national park in Hokkaido in the year 9 of the Shouwa era. The national special protected plant, a green alga, "Marimo", inhabits in the lake and the lake is the home of a trout variety "Himemasu", as well.
icon　Culture and History
At the lakeside, there is Lake Akan Ainu Kotan that is the biggest village in Hokkaido, living about 200 people. The meaning of "Kotan" is a village in Ainu. There are some folk handicraft and souvenir shops dealing with the traditional carved wooden products for sale. There are many activities to inherit Ainu culture.
icon　Sightseeing Spot
Visitor Center Near by Lake Akan
　You could see animals and plants inhabiting in the Lake of Akan by panels, models, and the high- definition television. The carved wooden animal products and the national special protected plant, a green alga, "Marimo", grown up like a baseball size, are on display as well.
Tel）0157-67-2785
Fee）Free
Time）9:00〜18:00 ( October〜The Middle of June〜17:00)
Close）None
Transportation）10 minutes from the bus stop (Akan Kohan) by walking

Lake Akan Pleasure Boat
　You could enjoy commanding the panorama of Lake Akan and the forest from the boat. The boat takes you to the Island of Chuurui, where there is Mariomo Exhibition Observation Center, on the way to cruising. In the center, you could learn the life of Marimo by panels and specimens and observe the different sizes of Marimo. It takes for 1 hour 25 minutes.
Transportation）5 minutes from the bus stop, Akankohan by walking
Tel) 0154-67-2511
Fee）1,520yen (Embarkation: 1,120yen/ Entrance Fee of the Center: 400yen)
Period of Navigation）The End of April〜 The Middle of November　There is no day off during the period.
Time）Each 30 minutes from 7:30am to 17:00pm (The time may be changed.)
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icon　Impressive Spot
The View of Penketou and Panketou from Soukodai
　Separating from the old lake of Akan formed the Lake of Penketou and the Lake of Panketou, known as brotherly lakes. Although it is too dangerous to reach the lakes because of a virgin forest, you are able to enjoy the landscape of the both lakes from Soukodai located on Akan crossing. (National Route 241)
You would see the smaller lake, Panketou, in the distance and Penketou, which has the similar shape of Hokkaido, just in front of you.
Transportation）20 minutes from the lakeside of Akan (Akan Panorama Course).It takes a minute to get there from the bus stop, Soukodai.

The Rare Waterfall of Hot Water in the Forest
　The Lake of Onnetou at the food of Mt. Meakan is called Five Color Lake, as the color of the lake is changeable. The waterfall flowing a hot spring, "Onnetou Yunotaki" is about 1.5 km away from Lake Onnetou. Onnetou Yunotaki is internationally recognized as a rare waterfall because a microbe produces 1t of manganese oxide a year.
Transportation）Bus Stop(Akan Kohan)→Akan Bus(To Onnetou, Period of Bus Service: July〜10/20 )→35minutes→ Getting off the last stop→20 minutes by walking

The Village of Akan "Tanchou"(A Japanese Crane)
　The rest area ,"Mitinoeki", where you could see a Japanese crane, is located along National Route 240 connecting from the Kushiro area to Akan hot spring. You could observe Japanese crane raised naturally, and Black- tailed crane, "Oguroduru", from Tibet. Nearly 100 Japanese cranes visit here when the winter comes.
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icon　Bodily Sensation and Experience Spot
There are so many entertainment spots, such as professional mountain climbing, and trekking for picnic to enjoy with the nature.

For the person who either is interested in climbing a mountain or has much physical strength・・・
　The Mountain of Oakan, the Mountain of Meakan
The Mountain of Oakan is a dormant volcano on the east side of the Lake of Akan. This mountain is 1.371m above and the shape is a cone.
There is the flower garden all around on the top of the mountain and it would fascinate a mountaineer. You could reach the top of the mountain from Takiguchi for 3 hours 20 minutes.
Transportation）5 minutes from Akan Kohan Bus Terminal to the Bus Stop, Takiguchi, via Kushiro by Akan Bus

Mt. Meakan is located in the southwest of Lake Akan and is 1,499m above as the highest active mountain in Akan.
The sublime forest surrounds the mountain and the community of alpine flora can be seen on the seventh stage in the climb to the top of the mountain. On the top of the mountain, there are two swamps, called "Aka swamp" and "Ao swamp." It takes 1 hour 50 minutes from the start of a trail up the mountain in Nonaka hot spring by walking. It also takes 2hours 20 minutes from young men's home to get the top of the mountain.
Transportation)Information of the Transportation/ It takes for 35 minutes to go to Onnetou from Akankohan throughout Meakan hotspring by bus.It takes 5 minutes from the bus stop to the lake by walking.

The top of Mt. Oakan, and Mt. Meakan impressively commands the wonderful panorama of lake Akan and the range mountain in Shiretoko.

For the person who would like to enjoy trekking rather than climbing a mountain・・・
　There is the course to go around Lake Taro and Lake Jiro from Lake Akan Takiguchi that takes 5 minutes by car. You could reach there if you go along National Route 240 from Lake Akan hot spring. It takes about 15〜20 minutes for one way by slow walking. The view around the lake takes you to the unexplored regions of Akan.

For the person who prefers an easy course・・・
　Pokke Promenade
Pokke Promenade is a 1,500m natural road that stretches to the forest in the lakeside from the visitor center. On the way to the course, there are Pokke, the monument to the song of Marimo, the monument of Mr.Takuboku Ishikawa and the monument to Mr.Takeshiro Matsuura. You also see so many wild birds and Yezo squirrels as well.

For the person who would like to enjoy with all nature in Akan・・・
　Akan Nature Center
There are so many different kinds of natural tours, such as "Canoe Canadian", "Pokke Early Morning Walk", "Mountain Bike", and " Onnetou Night Walk& hot spring."Would you like to try the course?
Please call us to apply for the tour until 6:00pm at the day before the tour.
Tel) 0154-67-2801
Transportation）10 minutes from the bus stop (Akan Kohan) by walking
icon　Steam
The hot spring, rising from the active volcanic zone, has rich volume of water and excellent quality of the source.
Source・・・Pure Hot Spring
Temperature・・・58 degrees
Effect・・・Recovering from Fatigue, Neuralgia, Chronic Arthritis, Neuritis, Rheumatism, Digestive Disorder, Atopic Dermatitis
icon　Gourmet
"Himemasu"(A Trout Variety)
　Lake Akan is regarded as an original strain for the trout. The fat of the trout is so thick that you could enjoy the taste. It is excellent both to boil and to eat as fresh slices. No matter how you eat this, the taste is always excellent!!

"Wakasagi"(Pond Smelt)
　Pond Smelt is regarded as the real winter food. Normally, the smelt is good to be flied. You had better eat it before it gets cold if you would like to get the best taste!!

"Shikaniku"(Venison)
　The venison squeezed blood had no uncomfortable smell so that the fresh slice of the venison is nice to be eaten. "Venison- Don", and" Teppan - Yaki" are also excellent.
icon　Event
Marimo Festival
　The Marimo Festival was founded for the campaign to protect Marimo. The festival is the biggest autumn festival in Akan with various events, such as the ceremonies by Ainu, fireworks, and games.
Open）October (The Second Saturdays and Sundays)

　Iomante Fire Festival
　The Iomante Fire Festival has been held followed by the Marimo Festival begun from the year 10 of the Heisei era. The festival would impress you with the wonderful fire to show Ainu culture.
Open）Everyday from the End of October to the Middle of December

　Tanchou Festival
　The Tanchou Festival is held with the events, such as snow games at Akan Land in Akan town. You must want to join the festival rather than just see it.
The Tanchou wedding ceremony in Tanchou Observation Center near by Akan Land is performed impressively and solemnly.
Open）The Middle of January

　Lake Akan Ice Festival
　The Lake Akan Ice Festival has enjoyable winter events like snowman mini game and cutting the ice on Lake Akan. There are also fantastic fireworks in the white world.
Open）2/1〜3/7
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icon　Souvenir
Woodwork Good
　The hit souvenir, "Onedari Fox", that shows lovely expressions by various ways of putting, won the Minister of Transport Prize.
There are also other woodwork souvenirs, such as accessories, shaped from a crane, and animal puzzles.

　Pond Smelt Boiled in Sweetened Soy Sauce (Tsukudani in Wakasagi)
　The Pond Smelt Boiled in Sweetened Soy Sauce is well- known product contained rich calcium especially in Lake Akan.

　Marimo Sweet Bean Jelly
　What do you imagine as Akan? It is obviously a green alga, "Marimo", that has been popular for a long time. This is the most popular souvenir.

　Artificial Marimo
　The Artificial Marimo is the popular product by making a ball of green alga, "Marimo", artificially in Hokkaido.
icon　Access of Transportation

→Access Map
icon　Hotel for Traveling
There is the hotel called Akan Grand Hotel, " Turuga", beside mysterious nature, Akan.We look forward to see you with the harmony between nature and human mind. Please enjoy your trip with the flavor of Japanese culture.

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icon　For Inquiries mail info
Please email us whenever you feel like traveling. You will obtain the best information for your trip from us.
Please fill out the period of the trip, the number of your group, your favorite place to go, tour and so on. We would be happy to arrange your trip to meet your satisfaction. Please don't hesitate to ask us about your budget.